Remulla wants ‘deception’ of some resource persons in ABS-CBN hearings probed

MANILA, Philippines —  Cavite 7th District Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday called on the House of Representatives to look into the alleged “deception” employed by several resource speakers in hearings on media giant ABS-CBN’s bid for a 25-year franchise.

During the joint hearing of the House committee on legislative franchises and committee on good government and public accountability, Remulla said the resource speakers should be held in contempt if they were proven to have untruthful in the hearings.

“I brought this up earlier before we called the meeting to order that I am asking the committee to look into the deception employed by several persons who testified to this committee, not only deception, sa madaling salita, mag nagsinungaling sa rating (those who lied to the) committee,” Remulla said.

“Alam natin dapat parusahan ng contempt kasi lagi natin pinapapaalahanan sa kanila na magsasabi ng buong katotohanan dito sa committee na ito. Sana maimbestigahan natin ito dahil masama itong ehemplo kung ito’y papalampasin lang natin ng basta-basta pagkatapos,” the lawmaker added.

(We know that holding them in contempt should be the punishment as we have been reminding them to tell the truth to the committee. I hope we should look into this because it would be a bad example if we just ignore this after the hearing.)

Remulla, however, made no mention of the resource speakers he was referring to.

Bulacan 1st District Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, who chairs the House committee on good government and public accountability, said that the hearings for the matter could be held after the issue of ABS-CBN’s franchise has been settled.

“Pwede nating i-hearing ito pero sana patapusin muna natin ang mismong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN. Pagkatapos ng usapin ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, sunod natin pagu-usapan sa blue ribbon committee ‘yung contempt hearing na inyong nabanggit,” Sy-Alvarado told Remulla.

(We can hold a hearing for this, but I hope let’s tackle first the franchise, then let’s discuss the matter with the blue ribbon committee regarding the suggestion for a contempt hearing.)

The lawmaker also called on the House committees to write a letter to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the validity of the explanation of ABS-CBN, particularly on its relationship with Amcara Broadcasting Network.

Amcara owns Channel 43 where ABS-CBN airs its digital television.

At the July 2 hearing, Remulla accused Amcara of being a “dummy” of ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak had previously argued that they have a block time agreement with Amcara that allows them to air their programs through Channel 43.

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